The sacrifice of thankfulness A sermon preached at Pauls Cross, the third of December,…The sacrifice of thankefulnesse A sermon preached at Pauls Crosse, the third of December,…

1. Chrysostom, ¹with divers others, think that though he did lie, he did not sin; because he did it by the revelation and counsel of God. So that God willing to have the prediction fulfilled, dispensing and disposing all things, is brought in as the preordainer of Jacobs lie, that I say not the Patron. But not without derogation to his divine Justice. For first, it appears not that this was the counsel of God, but only Rebeccaes device, verse 8. Hear my voice my son, in that which I command thee. My voice, not Gods; what I command, not what GOD approves. 2. If Jacob had received any oraculous warrant for this project, he would not have had so doubtful an opinion of the success. The matter was foreseen of God; not allowed: for God never inspireth lies. Gods wise disposition of this means, affords no warrant of his approbation. He ordereth many things, which he ordained not. The means were so unlawful, that Jacob himself doth more distrust their success, then hope for their blessing. He knew that good Isaac being •o plain-hearted himself, would severely punish deceit in his son. Men in office truly honest, are the sorest enemies to fraudulent courses in others. He therefore carries his meat in trembling hands; and scarce dares hope, that God will bless such a subtlety with good event. Yet he did; but ⟨p. 15⟩how! Here was prodigal dissembling: a dissembled person, a dissembled name, dissembled venison, dissembling answer; yet behold a true blessing; to the man, not to the means. Thus God may work his own will out of our infirmities; yet without approval of our weakness, or wronging the integrity of his own goodness.

1. Chrysostome, ¹with diuers others, thinke that thogh he did lie, hee did not sinne; because hee did it by the reuelation and counsell of God. So that God willing to haue the prediction fulfilled, dispensing and disposing all things, is brought in as the preordainer of Iacobs lie, that I say not the Patron. But not without derogation to his diuine Iustice. For first, it appeares not that this was the counsell of God, but onely Rebeccaes deuice, verse 8. Heare my voice my sonne, in that which I commaund thee. My voice, not Gods; what I command, not what GOD approoues. 2. If Iacob had receiued any oraculous warrant for this proiect, hee would not haue had so doubtfull an opinion of the successe. The matter was forseene of God; not allowed: for God neuer inspireth lies. Gods wise disposition of this meanes, affords no warrant of his approbation. He ordereth many things, which hee ordayned not. The means were so vnlawfull, that Iacob himselfe doth more distrust their successe, then hope for their blessing. He knew that good Isaac beeing o plaine-hearted himselfe, would seuerely punish deceit in his sonne. Men in office truely honest, are the sorest enemies to fraudulent courses in others. Hee therefore carries his meate in trembling hands; and scarce dares hope, that God will blesse such a subtletie with good euent. Yet he did; but